BF Goodrich tire plant in Kitchener to close next summer

MPP Arnott concerned about employees and effect on local economy

While expressing his concern for the families impacted by the announced closure of the BF Goodrich tire factory in Kitchener, Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott says the Provincial Government should have been taking greater action on jobs and the economy.

“My deepest concern right now is with the workers, management and their families affected by the company’s decision to close this plant. I have discussed this with Wayne Samuelson, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour. In addition, the loss of 1,100 jobs will negatively impact our local economy in Waterloo Region,” said Mr. Arnott.

Ontario’s factory jobs are being lost in droves. Recently, a Statistics Canada report showed that over 100,000 Canadian manufacturing jobs have been lost in just over a year. The greatest share of these losses occurred in Ontario which is the main industrial engine of the country.

“Greater action is needed on the part of the Provincial Government to encourage companies to protect the jobs we already have in Ontario and to create new jobs. We can do this by making our economy as competitive as possible,” said Mr. Arnott.

Last May, Mr. Arnott tabled a Private Member’s Resolution in the Legislature calling for a Committee of the House to immediately begin an investigation into Ontario's industrial and economic competitiveness, to develop an action plan to maintain and expand our domestic and international markets in the coming years. Mr. Arnott’s resolution is supported by: the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Canada’s Chemical Producers, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the CD Howe Institute, the Employers’ Advocacy Council, and the Ontario Real Estate Association.

“Eight months ago, when I introduced my resolution, the Provincial Government had a chance to begin to address the challenges our manufacturers are facing, before the situation became a crisis,” Mr. Arnott said.

“Now it appears that inaction by the Provincial Government is placing Ontario’s economy at risk,” Mr. Arnott added. “Unless action is taken immediately, I regret to say that we may face the loss of more manufacturing jobs in the coming months.”